Midwest Girl

I had never touched a gun in my life before my first deployment. This admission worried my PSD (personal security detail) guys greatly so on...

I cleaned out my old office and car a few days ago and found several CD’s labeled “Melissa Iraq”. Turns out they were full of photos from my...

Last week my mom, my brother Erik, and I all went down to Kansas City for the First Downs for Downs Wine Auction. An organization that the K...

Ok maybe not but here's the story. I absolutely hate rain yet I went for a run on Saturday gloomy forecast and all. I had to get in 11 m...

I just signed Justin and I up for the Army Ten Miler in DC. I have wanted to do this run for the last several years and have never been in c...

My new computer is amazing, but there is no modem so I can’t use my ghetto fabulous 1990s dial up connection anymore. Yes you heard right – ...

Over the weekend my very generous parents bought me a new computer. I was so not expecting this. I was definitely planning on the computer, ...

Carol and I are no spring chickens so we were both flattered when we were carded last night at Blue. We laughed at first until the waiter in...

Not long ago several people wisely informed me that a mountain bike is so not going to cut it for a triathlon. It would make the ride harder...

I am training for a half marathon (or two) and a triathlon. As this topic comes up in casual conversation or when seeking out advice on equi...

This consumed my weekend. My 1500lb+ house hold goods shipment from Kuwait arrived Friday. Amazing what one can accumulate in just a few yea...

It was way too close but Creighton pulled it off and won their first NIT tournament game. A bit brutal that they aren’t in the real tourname...

Ok maybe its not a Belfry but a regular ol attic, details. My house has been more or less vacant for two years and it was built in 1910. The...

Yesterday I was going to do an easy 5 mile run after work. The weather was amazing. Justin was in town so he wanted to join me, but he wante...

It was 9 degrees out on my way to work this morning. I had to walk maybe a block from the parking garage to the office and I thought I was g...

After I left Kuwait I spent several weeks traveling and just enjoying life. I’ll post photos and updates soon. Today is my first day as an a...

My last day in Kuwait. It still doesn’t seem real. It’s rainy and dreary here today – it never rains. This blog will no longer be “Midwest g...

I truly believe that anyplace can feel like home with a bit of work and decoration. I lived in a shipping connex for a year and a half but i...